Drug checking: a potential solution to the opioid overdose epidemic?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Forensic Science
• Toxicology

Background:

• North America faces an overdose crisis fueled by illicitly-manufactured fentanyl and analogues.
• Community-led overdose prevention interventions, including drug checking technologies, are expanding.
• Drug checking technologies identify illicit drug contents, but vary in cost, accuracy, and usability.

Discussion:

• Implementation of drug checking programs for people who inject drugs is increasing.
• There is a critical need for rigorous evaluation of the impacts of drug checking technologies.
• Prioritizing research on drug checking is essential given the ongoing overdose crisis.

Key Insights:

• Drug checking technologies offer potential for overdose prevention.
• Variability in drug checking technology performance necessitates careful assessment.
• Evidence gaps hinder the optimal deployment of these harm reduction tools.

Outlook:

• Further research is crucial to validate the effectiveness and safety of drug checking technologies.
• Recommendations emphasize completing research prior to broad adoption of drug checking.
• Future efforts should focus on evidence-based implementation strategies for drug checking programs.